« The tests were very positive from a pneumatic point of view. We quickly realized that due to the new surface, the fast profile and the high temperatures, the tires were under heavy stress and overheating. We have therefore modified our allocation for the race weekend – we are keeping the tires which had given a lot of grip and consistency in testing, but we have associated them with specific architectures allowing better temperature control. So, I am more confident for the race and the fact that the circuit has been resurfaced again will also help us. »
It is through this message of Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager, in the race sheet for the Indonesian Grand Prix that the French manufacturer formalizes what the teams have known for a while: in the majority, the tires used during the MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix will not be the tires used during the IRTA test.
As indicated in the official statement the rubbers will be the same, but “ we have associated them with specific architectures allowing better control of the temperatures” means that the carcasses will be different (a priori the previous version, more rigid). According to our information, this concerns all rear tires, without exception.
For the front, Michelin offers a second hard tire also with a different carcass, which will bring the possible choices to four. With four symmetrical front tires and three different asymmetrical rear tires, drivers will have to choose between 12 possibilities to best adapt to the different constraints of the weekend, these including not only the route but especially the new surface and the track conditions. , the latter looking very dependent on the expected capricious weather.
If the track is really wet, which is far from being excluded, drivers will be able to count on the classic soft and medium front and rear.
